ROTARY CLUB OF VINELAND

August 22, 2006 Newsletter

Editors: Carol Smith & Linda Foster
Photos: Jay Parks
Website: www.vinelandrotary.com
Email: vinelandrotary@comcast.net

Flag Salute & Prayer

Marty led our singing,the flag salute and 4-way test.

Guests

Bruce Engle visited us from the Ocean City-Upper Twp. Club. Guest speaker Allie Hartman and her dad, Bill, also visited us today.

Announcements

Seventy tickets were sold for the “Strike Out Hunger” project at the Phillies game last week, with 17 “littles” from Big Brothers/Big Sisters adopted for the evening.
The Somers Point Rotary Club will sponsor a golf tournament on Aug. 28.
A month-long trip to southern France in which our local Rotary district 7640 will visit Rotary District 1700 in France is planned for spring 2007 by the Rotary Foundation Group Study Exchange; a group leader is needed. Contact president Mike Loyle if interested.
Henry Hansen’s “Pedals for Progress” project is in need of more bikes to repair, Henry announced. Manual treadle sewing machines are also being accepted.
Betsy Frank filled in admirably as finemaster in Bill Plick’s absence.
Bill Dudley announced that Ron Barisano’s classification speech will be given at next week’s meeting, in addition to a presentation on 4-H.

Today’s Program

PE Bill Dudley introduced the guest speaker, Alexandra (“Allie”) Hartman, the current recipient of both the Doerr scholarship and the Ambassadorial Scholarship in which she studied at “Sciences Po,” the “Institute for Political Studies” in Paris, pursuing a master’s degree. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Columbia University and is a graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Vineland.

Allie said Rotary’s ambassadorial scholarship, begun in 1947, promotes Rotary’s goal of peace and world friendship. A total of 800 scholars from throughout the world were sent abroad through the scholarship, and she said she felt she received a truly “international” education from her fellow students, teachers and neighbors, who represented cultures from many countries.

A few difficulties had to be overcome, such as setting up an internet connection and adjusting to academic differences in the French system. She said she also had to deal with some cultural stereotypes held by the French people, such as all Americans are obese, and everyone eats at a fast-food place. But she also found the French to be “very polite” and sociable, interested in learning about American culture and politics. It was clear she thoroughly enjoyed her time in Paris and made many friends while there. A slide show accompanied the presentation

Upcoming Programs

8/29/06 4H Presentation & Classification speech
9/5/06 First TUesday - Inductions - Classification speeches
9/12/06 Jack Dilks
9/19/06 Dave Fixler
9/26/06 Nick Asselta
10/3/06 First Tuesday - Club Program
10/10/06 Frank LoBiondo
10/17/06 Jane Galetto – Maurice River
10/24/06 Becky Schad
10/31/06 Vocational Award
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